Odesa Mayor Trukhanov claims truth and law are on his side

Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov has said that he is innocent and does not intend to hide.

"I officially state that I do not intend to hide from anything, especially since the truth and the law are on my side. Moreover, after interrupting my trip, I asked my lawyer to officially contact the NABU and inform them about my arrival time in order to avoid further speculation. As Odesa mayor, who twice received a vote of confidence from the people of Odesa, I officially declare that all decisions taken by the city council and the executive committee corresponded and correspond to the letter of the law," he said.

The mayor said that in the near future the society would receive answers to all the questions of interest, which will make it possible to exclude speculation.

On February 14, the NABU confirmed the detention of Trukhanov and his deputy Pavlo Vuhelman at Boryspil International Airport (Kyiv).

"On February 14, at the airport Boryspil, detectives of NABU and SAPO prosecutors in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine detained Odesa mayor and his deputy suspected of committing a crime under Part 5 of Article 139 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (seizure of property by abusing official position)," the NABU said on its website.

According to the report, investigative and procedural actions are now being carried out with all the suspects, and the issue of choosing a preventive measure is being decided.

According to the investigation, Trukhanov and Vuhelman may be responsible for devising a scheme that caused damage to Odesa's budget.